confused of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'confused of' is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
'Confused about' or 'confused by' are the correct phrases. Example: I am confused by the instructions given in the manual.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But even the most confused of my friends helped out to help me.

The New York Times

I was embarrassed because I felt I was giving the wrong impression, of being kind of very confused, of being not very clear about it.

The Guardian - Film

But there is little doubt that the outstanding Astor – the landmark, the beacon – is Nancy Astor, who is not to be confused, of course, with "The Mrs Astor", Caroline Schermerhorn Astor, who was a New York society hostess.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Not to be confused, of course, with that shining beacon of the early 2000s, the RAZR).

TechCrunch

And though I was confused of course I trusted him.

Vice

Young couples, with their clothes practically falling off, wet-looking, never not touching and one of them having to explain to the apparently regressed, confused of the pair every nuance of the menu.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Duke blunder was a simple, silly mistake the confusing of two shades of blue in a split-second shot.

The New Yorker

Jamming of and confusing of electronic communication using the ordinary water-lifting dynamo fitted with a 30-meter copper pole.

Huffington Post

There are thousands of these young men, many of them confused, most of them armed.

The New York Times

If they're confused, think of the rest of us.

The New York Times

The first step is to move from having confused knowledge of the effect to having confused knowledge of the cause.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "confused about" or "confused by" instead of "confused of" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "confused". The correct prepositions to use with "confused" are "about" or "by". For example, say "I am confused about the instructions", not "I am confused of the instructions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confused of" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase intended to describe a state of mental uncertainty. However, it violates standard English grammar rules. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct forms are "confused about" or "confused by".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "confused of" appears in some contexts, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that the correct alternatives are "confused about" or "confused by". Although its intended purpose is to express mental uncertainty, sticking to the grammatically sound options ensures clarity and credibility in your writing. Remember to use "confused about" or "confused by" to properly convey your message and avoid potential misinterpretations. The expression is not frequently used in authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confused about

Uses a different preposition to correctly express the state of confusion.

confused by

Uses an alternative preposition to correctly express the state of confusion.

bewildered by

Replaces "confused" with a stronger synonym and uses the correct preposition.

perplexed about

Substitutes "confused" with a more formal synonym while maintaining grammatical correctness.

at a loss regarding

Employs a different idiomatic expression to convey a similar meaning.

uncertain about

Replaces "confused" with a more general term indicating a lack of certainty.

unsure of

Uses a slightly different structure to express a lack of certainty or clarity.

puzzled by

Replaces "confused" with a synonym suggesting mild bewilderment.

baffled by

Uses a synonym that conveys a stronger sense of being confused and unable to understand.

disoriented by

Suggests a confusion that leads to a loss of sense of direction or understanding.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "confused" in a sentence?

Use "confused about" or "confused by" followed by the subject causing the confusion. For instance, "I'm "confused about" the new policy" or "I'm "confused by" his explanation".

What is a more formal way to say "confused"?

Consider using "perplexed", "bewildered", or "baffled" as more formal alternatives. For example, "I am "perplexed by" the results".

Is it ever correct to say "confused from"?

No, "confused from" is not grammatically correct. Stick to "confused about" or "confused by". For example, "She was "confused by" the directions", not "She was confused from the directions".

Which is correct, "confused on" or "confused about"?

"Confused about" is generally the preferred and more common usage. "Confused on" might appear in very specific contexts, but it's best to use ""confused about"" for general use.